Chapter 63
He couldn’t have believed it. Wouldn’t have, if Leviathan wasn’t still whispering in his ear that he was okay, that he was here.
Cullen was still crying. As he would be for quite some time, he imagined. And his arms were still locked around his throat, his ear pressed against his skin to hear the strong, steady beat of his heart.
The bond tugged gently at his mind, restored as if it had never been torn away. Though he couldn’t imagine he would ever forget that terrible feeling of emptiness.
“How?” He whispered eventually, still not letting go of him. “You were gone. I felt it. I was dying, too.”
“Lucifer stopped me from crossing the river.” He murmured, still stroking his hair. “If you haven’t crossed yet, you can be brought back. He’s the only one of us that can reach that…in-between place.”
“He’s my favorite of your brothers now.” He choked out, his heart throbbing with an eternal gratitude for the immortal who had stepped in, who had broken a rule that was not ever supposed to be broken. There would be a punishment, he was sure, and they would all pay it.
But not now. Now he just needed to go home.
Leviathan chuckled softly and turned his head to kiss his forehead. “As long as I’m still the most favorite to you, I suppose I can live with that.”
He laughed a little shakily and squeezed him again. “I want to leave this place.”
“You’d have to let go of me first.”
“No.”
Leviathan laughed and the sound was so full of life. Cullen felt a painful throb in his chest, though it was from happiness this time. “I love you.”
“I know, pet. I love you, too.” He laid back then, drawing Cullen down with him. “Let’s watch the stars for a bit.” For the rain had cleared, leaving them drenched and cold. Cullen did not complain as he pulled himself closer and rested his ear against his chest.
“For a bit.” He agreed softly.